DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS RESOURCE CENTER

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and its sequela, pulmonary embolism (PE), are the leading causes of preventable in-hospital mortality in the United States.

Accordingly, it is of the utmost importance for physicians and other health care professionals to prevent DVT and to quickly diagnose and treat DVT and PE when preventive efforts fail. Heparin-only therapy was introduced to clinical practice in 1937. Over the last 25 years, considerable progress has been made in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of DVT. In the past decade, these advances have resulted in the introduction of several new anticoagulation medications that have improved treatment and long-term prognosis of these conditions.

• Frequency, etiology, and pathophysiology of DVT
• Relevant Anatomy and Contraindications of DVT
• Diagnostic studies in DVT
• Treatment plan for DVT
• Outcome and Prognosis
• Future and Controversies

A 65-Year-Old Woman With Dyspnea and Lower Extremity Pain

Earn 1 hour of free AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM by completing this case-based CME course describing the case of Lynn N—, a 65-year-old Asian woman who develops acute right lower extremity pain the day after undergoing right hip hemiarthroplasty. Upon further evaluation, she also admits to mild pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea. Lynn was admitted 1 week ago with a displaced femoral neck fracture sustained after experiencing a mechanical fall.

A 45-Year-Old Man With Substernal Chest Pain

Earn 1 hour of free AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM by completing this case-based CME course describing the case of Rob B—, a 45-year-old white man with a history of diabetes and hypertension who presents to the ED after experiencing substernal chest pain for the past several hours. The pain is nonpleuritic and characterized by tightness or pressure that radiates from his chest to the left side of his jaw and through to his back. As he describes the pain, Rob raises a clenched fist to the center of his chest. He states that the pain began while watching television.

A 62-Year-Old Woman With Progressive Lower Leg Swelling and Pain

Earn 1 hour of free AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM by completing this case-based CME course describing the case of Allison G—, a 62-year-old African American woman who was admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) 4 days ago for treatment of sepsis due to acute cholecystitis. Her clinical condition has improved with administration of parenteral antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of her gallbladder; however, she has recently developed left lower extremity swelling and pain.

A 52-Year-Old Man With Dyspnea and Respiratory Distress

Earn 1 hour of free AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM by completing this case-based CME course describing the case of Allen J—, a 52-year-old African American man who is brought to the ED by ambulance because of severe dyspnea and moderate respiratory distress. Allen denies having other medical problems but says he takes medication for “pressure.” He stopped taking the medication a month ago, after running out. He has visited other EDs “many times” for the same symptoms, which “get better with medicine.” He denies chest pain (except for mild discomfort with respiration), fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.